Having bought RAM on ebay I am surprised at the lack of anti-static precautions taken by sellers. Without naming names I wish to comment that, as with CPUs especially, and indeed with most if not all CMOS computer circuitry, anti-static precautions are a nescessity at all times when handling, packing, and storing any item of computer equipment or componentry. This is even more important than avoiding exposure to damp and high temperatures, as damp can always be dried out before fitting/use, and most modern circuitry can withstand temperatures above 60 degrees centigrade. :

The Technical Bit.

Computer components such as RAM sticks, processors, motherboards, graphics cards...you name it, either consist of a combination of discrete transistors and integrated circuits or "chips", containing in some cases millions of transistors, or are themselves chips, as in the case of a CPU or processor. These transistors are in most cases, other than some power-controller transistors, of the MOSFET variety. : In a very basic terms, these consist of a microscopic layer of doped semiconductor material laid and adhered to a microthin silicon wafer, with a tiny electrostaically-effective gate which is insulated from the semiconductor material by an incredibly-thin and fragile insulating material alongside the semiconductor. Under normal circumstances and in normal operation the gate, being totally electrically insulated from the semiconductor material, regulates the flow of electrons through the semiconductor material between the drain and the source connections at either end of the semiconductor, which is how the transistor works. Due to the fragile nature of the insulating layer between gate and semiconductor, however, it doesn't take much to break down the insulation between the gate and the semiconductor creating a low-current potential divider with the gate as the centre connection, i.e connected to the semiconductor through the break in the insulation, thus ruining the action and function of that individual transistor. Static electricity can build up on virtually every surface, even the human body in some cases, to a potential of thousands, sometimes millions of volts, and at currents greater than the insulated gate of a MOSFET is capable of withstanding. When these charges are applied to any type of MOSFET circuitry, usually without even realising that they are even present, then the obvious occurs; the transistor(s) break down due to the insulating layer depleting under overload, and suddenly the device is rendered inoperative, AKA ruined, broken, kaput, finito, had it, shagged, destroyed, fried...

You may think that with millions of transistors it wouldn't hurt if one or two don't work; after all people don't die if a few cells in their body die, or they injure themselves slightly. The human body and the electronic circuit are totally different in many respects; and this is one of them. : The human body can replace dead cells in days, and can bypass the function of dead cells until new ones are grown by its automatic-repair process, at least to a certain extent. With an electronic circuit if a transistor dies then the function in the pathway of a particular electron flow is rendered inoperative and the device malfunctions, in many cases triggering aa chain-reaction in which many other transistors along or connected to that path also die; and when a transistor's dead it's dead forever, no afterlife or reincarnation. -This destruction can happen naturally with the age of the component causing it to break down with usage; but it's relatively rare in modern electronics. A static charge, however, can "fry" a device; literally causing a micro-detonation of the active components of many transistors on a microscopic level within the device, rendering it useless.

How to Avoid Damage

So bearing the above in mind; what needs to be done to prevent this happening? Anti-static precautions should be adhered to at all times rigorously when handling CMOS and MOSFET circuitry; which encompasses nearly all circuitry within a computer, except for some parts of the PSU or Power Supply Unit. Anti static precautions are aimed at preventing static electrical charge from reaching a device; and it's not quite as ismple as it sounds. People seem to think that since polythene is a good electrical insulator, if they wrap RAM etc in polythene then it'll prevent it from being exposed to charge. WRONG. Polythene is one of static electricity's favourite places to lurk. A charge builds up easily on any polythene surface by means of friction with another material. Nylon also is an excellent static-capacitor, as is your carpet, your leather sofa, your dress or shirt. So what if I pack electronics naked? Your naked body is a conductor of static electricity, from the carpet, your sofa, your dress, straight into the nearest transistor, and you needn't nescessarily feel a shock either. To avoid damaging circuitry you need to keep all possibility of static discharge well away from it.

Ground Thyself

An anti-static wristband should be worn at all times when handling semiconductors or semiconductor-based circuitry, CMOS, MOSFET, whatever. : Go into any electronics lab, even at college, and you'll see everyone wearing one on their wrist. This is providing any static charge that comes into contact with their body with a path to electrical earth; the quickest path to destination, which is the path all electricity will take in all cases.

All handling of electronic circuitry and components should be within a static-proof environment. (I once saw an ebay advertisment for a motherboard with a picture of the motherboard laid on the carpet. As soom as that board is touched static electricity will travel from the carpet, through the board and its components, through the hand of the handler - wherther or not they're wearing an anti-static wristband, and on its way to the easiest path to earth.) If a static electrical charge contacts the component just once then it's fried, dead, useless. Always always always pack electronics in an anti-static bag. NEVER pack them in polystyrene or polythene. - You will ruin them and your buyer will ask for a refund. Always wear an anti-static wristband when touching a circuit-board or "card"; preferrably on the wrist attached to the hand with which you are holding it. NEVER allow the component to come into contact with the carpet, (Avoid carpets in the packing/handling environment if at all possible.) a polythene, polycarbonate, polystyrene, poly methyl methacrylate, poly-whatever surface, metal, plants, and don't allow it into a strong electromagnetic or electrostatic field. (Microwave, transformer, close to a television screen, etc.) Also avoid touching any exposed metal part or component on the board/card if at all possible.

I've recieved RAM wrapped in bubble-wrap before now. - 'Not a good idea. : Take care of your electronic parts, sellers; otherwise you'll only be asked for refunds and lose money, as they won't work when your buyer receives them.